John vivian



(No Model.)

J. VIVIAN.

WIRE TIGHTENING DEVICE. No. 372,723. Patented Nov. 8, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN VIVIAN, OF TRENTON, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO G. H. SKIFF, OF SAME PLACE.

WIRE-TIGHTENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,723, dated November 8, 1887.

Application filed December 13, 1886. Serial No. 221,485. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JOHN VIVIAN, of Trenton, in the count-yof Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vire-Tightening Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification. I

My invention relates to a device for tight- 1 ening fence-wires; and it consists in the mechanism hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of my wire-tightening device. Fig. 2 represents a similar view showing the pivoted lever in a different position from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section view on line 00 :0, Fig. 3.

In constructing my improved wire tightening device I provide handle 1, of the required length and size, with a sharpened or tapering end, 2. The tapering end is thus preferably constructed for piercing the wood forming the posts to which the wires are attached, and also for enabling the operator to insert the end in the ground in cases where it may be found necessary in tightening the wire, or for holding the same in an upright position by sticking the same into the earth when not in use. On this handle I provide shoulder 3. For clamp- 5 ing and holding the wire against the fixed shoulder on the handle, I provide the pivoted lever 5, pivoted to the handle at 6, which lever is free to move in either direction, the same being pivoted to the handle in such manner that the circular face at is brought nearly in contact with the fixed shoulder, so that in grasping the wire between the shoulder and the circular face of the lever the strain upon the wire tightens the lever, so that it clamps the wire rigidly. Vhen the wire is thus clamped, point 2 of the handle is placed against the post or other fixed object, and the operator crowds against the handle, thereby forming a powerful lever, which enables the operator to stretch the wire preparatory to attaching the same to the post in the fence.

Another important feature of my invention consists in so constructing my wire-tightening device as to form shears for cutting the wire. This is accomplished by beveling the handle, as shown in 7 7, Fig. 4, above the fixed shoulder, and in beveling the pivoted lever, as shown in 8 8, Fig. 4, above the circular face, the shearing-edges receding on either side toward the end of the lever, whereby the wire is retained between the circular shearing-edge of the lever and the shearing edge on the handle. The operator moves the pivoted lever into position substantially at right angles from the handle and inserts the \virebetween the cutting-edges thus formed back of the circular face of the lever, which has the effect to retain the wire from slipping on the cutting-edges formed as already described.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to sccu re by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the handle having a fixed shoulder and beveled shearing -edgcs above the shoulder, the lever having a semicircular face projecting beyond the beveled edges, and the circular beveled edges above the semicircular face of the lever, the lever and handle pivoted to be operated, as set forth.

In witness whereof I have atfixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN VIVIAN.

\Vitnesses:

EDWIN H. RISLEY, SARAH L. LINDSAY. 

